Automotive tent framework and covering therefor

ABSTRACT

A tent framework for use in conjunction with a vehicle and including a pair of frame assemblies mounted lengthwise on opposite sides of the vehicle roof structure. Said assemblies being rearwardly extensible to permit pivotally attached leg and crossmembers to be swung outwardly into perpendicular disposed relationship to the main longitudinal member of each frame assembly. Plates affixed to the rearward ends of the main members hingedly attach the leg and crossmembers to the main member with the adjacent ends of the leg and crossmembers in abutting, interlocking relationship. A covering for the framework may be compactly stowed in place on the framework.

United States Patent 1 1 Grady [54] AUTOMOTIVE TENT FRAMEWORK ANDCOVERING THEREFOR lnventor: Clarence A. Grady, Route 1, Box

192, Rockaway, Oreg. 97136 Filed: May 6, 1971 App]. No.: 140,877

References Cited UNITED STATES PATENTS Bursey et al. ..l35/l A'Calthorpe ..l35ll A Salmans ..l35ll A Carr ..l35/l A 3,707,977 Jan. 2,1973 PrimaryExdminer-Peter M. Caun Attorney-James D. Givnan, Jr.

[5 7] ABSTRACT A tent framework for use in conjunction with a vehicleand including a pair of frame assemblies mounted lengthwise on oppositesides of the vehicle roof structure. Said assemblies being rearwardlyextensible to permit pivotally attached leg and crossmembers to be swungoutwardly into perpendicular disposed relationship to the mainlongitudinal member of each frame assembly. Plates affixed to therearward ends of the main members hingedly attach the leg andcrossmembers to the main member with the adjacent ends of the leg andcrossmembers in abutting, interlocking relationship. A covering for theframework may be compactly stowed in place on the framework.

7 Claims, 12 Drawing Figures PATENTEUJAH 2197s 3707,97

I NVENTOR.

CLARENCE A. GRADY B 7 1/ Q AGENT I PAIENTEDJAM 2191a I VEN'TOR. CLARE EA. GRADY AUTOMOTIVE TENT FRAMEWORK AND COVERING THEREFOR BACKGROUND OFTHE INVENTION ment of tubular members and the manner of interconnectingsame facilitating both set up and compact stowing of the framework fortravel. A fabric covering is disclosed which may be permanentlyassociated with the framework and likewise readily stowable therewith.

Important requirements for auxiliary shelters or tents used inconjunction with vehicles is that they permit expeditious setting up atthe site, provide an adequate area for two or more people and are easilycollapsed for stowing aboard the vehicle with no removable fittingssusceptible to loss. Further, it is desirable that such shelters when sostowed do not interfere with other roof top carried items such as boats,luggage racks and the like.

A number of prior tent frame arrangements extend laterally from thevehicle and include telescoping members which they find necessary toprovide adequate tent area. Such telescoping members and their basicframes are of a complicated costly nature, not easily removed from thevehicle by reason of their weight and when in place on the vehicleobviate the carrying of a roof rack, car top boat, etc.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION The present invention includes two frameworkassemblies carried in an independent manner lengthwise along the sidesof the vehicle roof and which assemblies are extensible rearwardlytherefrom. Each assembly includes a main longitudinal member at therearward end of which is hingedly mounted a leg member and a crossmembercomponent. Upon rearward extension of the two framework assemblies thelegs and crossmember of each of conveniently swung through ninetydegrees into interlocking, operative disposition. A coupling, carried byone crossmember, slides into engagement with the other crossmember tocomplete set up of the framework.

It is an important object of the present framework to provide a sizeableauxiliary shelter for a vehicle, which is both easily set up and when soset up provides a rigid framework wherein the associated members braceone another. Crossmembers and leg components are permanently andhingedly attached to one another with no risk of loss and do not requirecostly and delicate threaded fittings.

The invention further provides a lightweight tubular framework whichwhen stowed in place on the vehicle roof leaves an unobstructed roofspan upon which may be carried or mounted the usual accessories orloads. Each of the two side mounted assemblies collapse into compactunits located adjacent the roof edge and permitting the passage of tiedown straps for other roof carried equipment. When it is desired toremove the present framework from the vehicle the same is readilyaccomplished. Small sleeves affixed to the vehicle roof carry the frameassemblies at the side of the roof so as not to interfere with otheruses of the vehicle roof. If so desired, the sleeves may be removablymounted on the roof.

Important to the instant invention is the novel structure providing forthe pivotal mounting of the adjacent ends of a crossmember and leg ofeach assembly. Said ends, when the crossmember and leg are operativelydisposed, move into abutting contact whereby their pivotal movement islimited to the position desired. Further, such contact provides forrigid interlocking of the assembly components.

The invention provides auxiliary living area for use in 0 conjunctionwith a vehicle with the area provided being large in size compared tothat provided by the prior art structures. The large sheltered area soprovided by the invention is useful for providing additional livingquarters for campers or simply as a windbreak for family outings. Theinvention, while shown in conjunction with a camper unit, is notrestricted to any particular type of vehicle but rather is adaptablewith obvious minor modifications to use with most all automobiles andrecreational vehicles.

The framework may support a tent-like covering which, for travelpurposes, is folded for compact storage intermediate the frameworkassemblies at the rearward edge of the vehicle roof.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWING With attention to the accompanyingdrawing:

FIG. 1 is a side elevational view of the automotive tent framework shownoperatively disposed in full lines, rearwardly from a recreationalvehicle, with a tent-like covering shown in phantom lines,

FIG. 2 is an end elevational view of the framework assemblies takenalong line 2 2 of FIG. 1,

FIG. 3 is a side elevational view of an end of a framework assemblytaken along line 3 3 of FIG. 2,

FIG. 4 is a view similar to FIG. 3 taken along line 4 4 of FIG. 2showing the opposite side of a framework assembly end,

FIG. 5 is a side elevational view on an enlarged scale showing the endof a framework assembly with its leg and crossmember collapsed fortravel alongside the main assembly member,

FIG. 6 is a perspective view of the end of a main assembly member with aleg and crossmember removed for illustrative purposes,

FIG. 7 is a side elevational view of the present invention with atent-like covering in place thereon,

FIG. 8 is a plan view of FIG. 7 taken along line 8 8 thereof showing aportion of the present invention terminating along its longitudinalcenterline,

FIG. 9 is a side elevational view showing the rearward end of aframework assembly with collapsed leg and crossmember and with atent-like covering folded on the framework for travel,

FIG. 10 is an end elevational view of FIG. 9 taken from the right handend of FIG. 9 with the tent-like covering removed,

FIG. 11 is a sectional view taken along line 11 ll of FIG. 8 showing abow end in place on main assembly member, and

FIG. 12 is a plan view of a tent-like covering useable in conjunctionwith the automotive framework disclosed.

DESCRIPTION OF PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS With continuing reference to thedrawing wherein applied reference numerals indicate parts similarlyidentified in the following specification, the reference numeral 1indicates generally a framework assembly extending rearwardly from oneside of the roof structure of a vehicle at 2. The framework assembly 1is shown projecting rearwardly substantially in alignment with thevehicle roof edge. A second and similar framework assembly, indicatedgenerally at 3 in FIG. 2, is disposed in a like manner from the oppositeroof edge and combining with the first mentioned assembly to provide atent framework.

Each assembly includes a main longitudinal frame member at 4 and 5which, like other frame components, is preferably of lightweight tubing.Pairs of aligned roof mounted collars at 6 and 7 slidably and rotatablyreceive members 4 and 5 with the fore and aft spacing of said collarsand the length of longitudinal members 4 and 5 being somewhat dependenton the length of the vehicle roof at 8. Collars 6 and 7 may include abase portion 9 (FIG. 5) permitting fastened permanent securement to thevehicle roof or alternatively may be secured in a suitable removablemanner.

At the rearward end of each of the main frame members 4 and 5 arehorizontal (when operatively disposed) plate members 10 and 11projecting inwardly from their respective main members to receivecrossmembers at 15. Each main member additionally carries at its end apair of depending plates at 12 and 13 which receive the leg members at16. Plate members 10 and 11 are apertured at 10A, 11A to loosely receivenut and bolt members 17 while the depending plate members 12, 13 aresimilarly apertured at 12A, 13A to loosely receive nut and bolt members18. Accordingly, means are thus provided for pivotally mounting theoutermost ends of the crossmembers 15 and the upper ends of leg members16 to the rearward ends of the main members 4 and 5 with pivotal orswinging movement of said crossmembers and leg members being in planesnormal to one another about the axes of bolts 17 and 18. Spacers areindicated at 19.

As best shown in FIGS. 2-4 the leg members, when vertically in place,are in end abutment with the ends at 4A and 5A of their respective mainmembers to thus limit the pivotal movement of the former. In a similarmanner it is desirable to limit the pivotal movement of the crossmembers15 by abutting contact of their outer ends with the upper end sidewallsof the leg members 16. Proper dimensioning of the end segments of saidmembers and the locationing of the bolt members 17, 18 (which constitutepivot pins) accomplishes this desired result.

Further, as typically viewed in FIGS. 5 and 6, it will be seen that thepairs of plates extend in an angular manner rearwardly past the ends4A-5A of their main member 4 or 5. The axes of bolt members 17 and 18are located to achieve the foregoing objects and further enablecollapsing of the crossmembers and leg members against their respectivemain members 4 and 5 in a parallel manner.

In the embodiment of the invention shown the lower horizontal plate 11member of each pair attaching a crossmember is carried by the dependingplate member 13 as seen in FIG. 4. Securement of the plate members maybe by welding or the like or, if desired, the plate members may be inthe form of castings with a hollow casting segment being fitted aboutthe rearward end segments of the main framework member 4 or 5.

ing engagement with the remaining crossmember. The

sleeve is slotted at 21A to receive a pin 22 which limits rectilinearmovement of the sleeve.

With attention to FIG. 5, whereat a fragment of framework assembly 1 isshown stowed for transport,

the rearward end of each main framework member is slid forwardly intoposition against the collar 7. Preparatory to such stowing the sleeve 21is disengaged from the other crossmember to permit both of thecrossmembers to be swung forwardly into juxtaposition with theirrespective main frame members. Subsequently each leg member is rotatedupwardly into a horizontal inwardly extending position resulting inrotation of its main member 4 or 5 which rotates in its sleeves 6 and 7.Subsequent forward collapsing of the leg member positions the leg memberclosely alongside its main member 4 or 5 and the'previously collapsedcrossmember. Forward movement of the main members 4 and 5 results in thestowed configuration as partially seen in FIG. 5 (and shown in brokenlines in FIG. 1

The crossmembers each carry a locking pin at 23 which rides over thecollars 7 during forward passage of the main member through the collars7. Each assembly 1 and 3 may be secured in place by means of a rubberstrap 24 (FIG. 5) which encircles the collapsed leg member, crossmemberand main framework member of each assembly with the unseen end ofthestrap being secured by means of a clip attached to the eave of thevehicle roof structure. Accordingly, the securely bundled frameworkassembly 1 is restrained against linear movement by means of a lockingpin 23 on one side of the collar 7 and the plates on the opposite sideof the collar.

For purposes of protecting the canvas used as a tentlike frameworkcovering from damage by the ends of the tubular assembly members theends are preferably dressed off to provide a curved surface.Additionally, if desired, auxiliary canvas supporting bows as at 25 maybe inserted in place for resting support between the main frameworkmembers 4 and 5 to prevent sagging of the canvas.

In FIGS. 7 through 12 I show a tent-like covering in place on a slightlymodified framework structure wherein the removable bows 25 are dispensedwith in favor of end mounted bows 26. The latter are retained inslidable attachment with main longitudinal members 4 5 by means ofcircular end members 27. The end supported bows 26 extend-crosswise tosupport a tentlike covering indicated generally at'28 with the bowspassing through elongate, open ended pockets 29 (FIG. 12) sewn to theunderside of the covering.

The bows 26 and integral end members 27 are slidable on the main tubularmembers 4' 5 during setting up of the framework from the collapsedconfiguration of FIG. 9 wherein the covering 28 is shown stored in afolded condition at the rear of the vehicle.

The covering when extended is slightly longer than the framework with aroof portion at 30, side portions 31 and a rear closure portion 32.Cooperating snap members at 33-34 permit attachment of the side portionsto the rear portion of the covering when the same is operativelydisposed as in FIG. 7. Grommets at 35 facilitate ground attachment ofthe side portions. Additional snaps at 36 engage vehicle roof mountedsnap members.

The covering 28 with its roof, side and rear portions respectively at30, 31 and 32 may be stowed by folding, one at a time, the side and rearportions up and over to lie flat on the roof portion 30 of the covering.Since the covering 28 is not attached to the framework other than by theslidable bows 26 the covering may be pushed forwardly to fold same andto locate the bows adjacent the rearmost roof mounted collars 7'. Theframework assemblies may then be collapsed to locate crossmembers 15'and leg members 16' alongside their respective main frame members 4' and5'. Upon such collapsing of each framework assembly they aresubsequently slid forwardly with rearward end of each assembly being ina stowed configuration as seen typically in FIG. 9. With reference toFIG. it will be seen that the collapsed leg member 16' will slideforwardly over a downwardly curved portion 27A of the member 27 which,as above noted, has previously been slid forwardly adjacent collar 7'.

The tent-like covering 28 with its superimposed folded portions 30, 31,32 will fold to the shape seen in FIG. 9. The framework assemblies arethen secured for travel as in the first described form of the invention.

Setting up of the framework with its covering 28 merely requires therearward extension of the two side mounted framework assemblies withrotation of each through ninety degrees to locate the leg members 16'vertically and the crossmembers l5 horizontally. The bows 26 with theirintegral end members 27 are slid rearwardly from their positions of FIG.9 to flatten out the covering 28 whereupon the side and rear closureportions 31-32 are unfolded and draped over the frameworkmembersfSubsequent coupling of the snaps 33, 34 and 36provides anenclosure open at the vehicle end for passage between the vehicle andthe enclosure.

While I have shown but a few embodiments of the invention. it will beapparent to those skilled in the art that the invention may be embodiedstill otherwise without departing from the spirit and scope of theinvention.

Having thus described the invention what is desired to be secured undera Letters Patent is:

Iclaim:

l. A tent framework useable in conjunction with a vehicle with theframework being carried in a stowed position on the vehicle roof andextensible rearwardly therefrom for operative disposition'of theframework, said framework comprising,

a pair'of framework assemblies each including,

amain longitudinal member,

a positionable leg member carried at the rearward end of said mainmember and contactable with the ground surface.

a positionable crossmember also carried at the rearward end of said mainmember,

means carried by said main member pivotally attachingone end of said legmember and said crossmember to the rearward end of the main member forarcuate swinging movement of the leg and crossmembers from a collapsedposition alongside said main member to an operative osition er endicularthereto, colla i means ffi ted to the vehicle roof slidably androtatably receiving each of said main longitudinal members, and

- said main members being rotatable subsequent to collapsing of said legmember and said cross member to raise both of same about the axis, ofsaid main member to permit forward sliding move ment of the main memberinto place immediately above the roof surface of the vehicle.

2. A tent framework as claimed in claim I wherein said pivotallyattaching means comprises pairs of plates and pivot means extendingthrough said plates and the attached ends of said leg member and saidcrossmember, said leg member and said crossmember when swung to anoperative position perpendicular to the main member being restrictedagainst further swinging movement by abutting contact of their adjacentends.

3. A tent framework as claimed in claim 2 wherein said pairs ofplates'extend outwardly and rearwardly from the end of the main memberto offset said pivot means rearwardly from the'end of the main memberwhereby at least one of the swingably positionable members will contactthe end of said main member to limit the formers movement.

4. A tent framework as claimed in claim 1 wherein a locking pin iscarried by one of said positionable members whereby when saidpositionable member is col-.

lapsed against the main member the locking pin is contactable with theroof mounted collar to prevent rearward sliding movement of the mainmember and hence the framework assembly of which it is a part.

- -5. A tent framework as claimed in claim'l wherein the crossmemberscarried by each of the main mem bers are positionable into axialalignment, coupling means slidably carried by one of said crossmembersfor limited axial movement thereon for engagement with the other of saidcrossmembers to retain the crossmembers in alignment when in operativedisposition.

6. A tent framework as claimed in claim 1 additionally including,

bows extending crosswise intermediate the framework assemblies andslidably supported at their ends by the main longitudinal member of eachframework assembly,

a tent-like covering supported by said framewor and having roof, sideand rear closure portions, and

said side and rear closure portions being foldable for storing intosuperimposed relationship with said roof portion with said covering whenfolded being supported entirely by said slidably mounted bows wherebyupon forward sliding of the bows will fold the tent-like covering into acompact area preparatory to travel of the vehicle.

7. The tent framework as claimed in claim 6 wherein said tent-likecovering has a series of crosswise orienbows therewithin in a permanentmanner. a: a s a:

1. A tent framework useable in conjunction with a vehicle with theframework being carried in a stowed position on the vehicle roof andextensible rearwardly therefrom for operative disposition of theframework, said framework comprising, a pair of framework assemblieseach including, a main longitudinal member, a positionable leg membercarried at the rearward end of said main member and contactable with theground surface. a positionable crossmember also carried at the rearwardend of said main member, means carried by said main member pivotallyattaching one end of said leg member and said crossmember to therearward end of the main member for arcuate swinging movement of the legand crossmembers from a collapsed position alongside said main member toan operative position perpendicular thereto, collar means affixed to thevehicle roof slidably and rotatably receiving each of said mainlongitudinal members, and said main members being rotatable subsequentto collapsing of said leg member and said cross member to raise both ofsame about the axis of said main member to permit forward slidingmovement of the main member into place immediately above the roofsurface of the vehicle.
 2. A tent framework as claimed in claim 1wherein said pivotally attaching means comprises pairs of plates andpivot means extending through said plates and the attached ends of saidleg member and said crossmember, said leg member and said crossmemberwhen swung to an operative position perpendicular to the main memberbeing restricted against further swinging movement by abutting contactof their adjacent ends.
 3. A tent framework as claimed in claim 2wherein said pairs of plates extend outwardly and rearwardly from theend of the main member to offset said pivot means rearwardly from theend of the main member whereby at least one of the swingablypositionable members will contact the end of said main member to limitthe formers movement.
 4. A tent framework as claimed in claim 1 whereina locking pin is carried by one of said positionable members wherebywhen said positionable member is collapsed against the main member thelocking pin is contactable with the roof mounted collar to preventrearward sliding movement of the main member and hence the frameworkassembly of which it is a part.
 5. A tent framework as claimed in claim1 wherein the crossmembers carried by each of the main members arepositionable into axial alignment, coupling means slidably carried byone of said crossmembers for limited axial movement thereon forengagement with the other of said crossmembers to retain thecrossmembers in alignment when in operative disposition.
 6. A tentframework as claimed in claim 1 additionally including, bows extendingcrosswise intermediate the framework assemblies and slidably supportedat their ends by the main longitudinal member of each frameworkassembly, a tent-like covering supported by said framework and havingroof, side and rear closure portions, and said side and rear closureportions being foldable for storing into superimposed relationship withsaid roof portion with said covering when folded being supportedentirely by said slidably mounted bows whereby upon forward sliding ofthe bows will fold the tent-like covering into a compact areapreparatory to travel Of the vehicle.
 7. The tent framework as claimedin claim 6 wherein said tent-like covering has a series of crosswiseorientated pockets formed on its roof portion to receive said bowstherewithin in a permanent manner.